Student Spotlight: Emmeline

This quote describes how I feel about Emmeline. As a young professional woman, seeing another woman work hard and reach for her dreams is honestly the best motivation I can ask for. I’ll stop and let you meet the amazing woman who has the spotlight today.

EMMELINE

Nick name

Emm, The Oracle, Bonnie Lass

Hometown, Country

Chicago, IL/Ghana (#firstgenerationpride)

School (location)

Drake University, Des Moines, IA

Current Program, level, year in school

Dual Degree: Doctor of Pharmacy with a Diabetes Concentration and Master of Science in Leadership Development; Senior

Tell us a little about Emmeline

I’m Emm I’m a proud INFJ and I love hashtags #hashtagsformyhashtags. I’m a Type B person with sprinkles of Type A every now and then.

I like to think of myself as a creative person and enjoy finding ways to be unique. I like to think that I have a big personality and unique interests which sometimes comes as a shock to people when I tell them my hobbies in addition to being a pharmacy student. There are many stereotypes of what a girl in science is or what they can do. I’m here to say you can be who you want to be and it shouldn’t stop you from pursuing any kind of degree. I’m a Sephora addict, music loving, dancing, pharmacy student. People are quick to place med and science kids into the nerd category #nothingwrongwithbeinganerdtho

Back on track though, overall I strongly believe in knowing yourself, learning how to love yourself, and giving yourself the love you deserve. Self-care, self-love, and self-growth is a journey. It can’t be rushed but you can work on it every day. I’m always trying to figure out ways to better myself and be a role model to people around me.

What do you like the most about your school/academic program?

I attend a pretty small private university which has allowed me to really focus on my studies. Being straight out of high school into a six-year program (2 years pre-pharmacy/undergraduate and then 4 years pharmacy school/grad school) has taken a lot of will-power, focus, and sacrifice among many other things. I have actually enjoyed the fact that I have been with the same 115 kids throughout this program as it has allowed me to foster so many meaningful relationships with peers as well as faculty who have become mentors to me.

Even though I complain a lot about the size of Drake or Des Moines in general, I attribute a significant part of my success to being in a smaller environment compared to most of the bigger schools I looked at when applying for college.

What internships/jobs have you done?

There are two kinda complex answers to this question so lemme educate y’all real quick. In pharmacy school, we have Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs) and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs). You do IPPEs throughout the first three years of pharmacy school and the last year is a full year of experiences in different pharmacy settings. The last year of pharmacy school you’re typically not on campus and don’t have to deal with finals #blessed but you’re paying tuition to work 40 hour weeks and not getting paid. So, they’re kinda like internships but you’re not getting paid because it’s technically school work and very much required. I’ll just list my two favorite APPEs and one IPPE because in total I’ve done 16.

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (Health Disparities Service Learning) in Iowa.

I also work as a pharmacy intern at an independent pharmacy in Iowa.

What is/are the highlight (s) of your student life?

I’m a proud member of Phi Delta Chi Pharmacy Fraternity. I’ve grown on a personal and professional level through my involvement in this organization. It’s pushed me to be better and be a role model to the younger students. Being in Phi Dex has helped me learn about my leadership potential which led to me being involved in various leadership development organizations on campus, being inducted into the Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Leadership Society, taking on leadership roles within my organizations, as well as leading me down the road to pursuing a degree in leadership development. I love the family I have in Phi Dex and the connections that I have been fortunate to make with brothers across the nation.

I’m a PROUD member of the African Students Association on Drake’s campus. I’ve been fortunate to choreograph our dances for the past five years and have bonded with so many amazing, brilliant, funny, talented, inspiring individuals. They are my family and having families such as ASA and my fraternity have made student life endurable.

Drake came to Drake and no one knew about it until it was too late, smh.

What do you plan to do after your degree?

I recently matched in a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program at Mount Auburn Hospital, affiliated with Harvard Medical School. I will be a resident for one year as well as adjunct teaching at a local university. I’ll be wrapping up my Masters at the same time. After this, I hope to pursue an oncology residency and ultimately get involved in cancer research and management. I also have the thoughts of going to medical school (crazy ikr?) on my mind but that’s for future me to figure out.

What do you dream of accomplishing in your lifetime?

Ultimately, my goal is to make a significant and positive impact on a global level whether that be through my career, hobbies, or focus on increasing self-awareness, self-care, and self-love. I’ll get there I just don’t know how yet #aquariuslife

What do you do for fun?

I take naps

When I read, I read inspirational, empowerment, self-help, consciousness raising kinds of books. My favorite to date is You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero.

I took online classes to become a makeup artist a couple years back. So, I do makeup for fun. I do have a fairly new youtube channel that I’m slowly trying to build. I enjoy photography, cinematography, music, and everything artsy.

What three things do you carry with you all the time?

Vaseline

Pride

Self-love

Describe yourself with one food?

Ghana Jollof, you can try and say that I’m not great but deep down you know issa lie, I am THE BEST #noshame

What’s your biggest life lesson so far?

My biggest lesson in life so far has been learning the importance and balance of past, present, and future. Above all, it is important to stay focused on the present moment and TRULY live in the moment. Slowing down to appreciate where you are at currently and what you’re doing makes life so much richer. In regards to the past, it’s important to look at all adversity and setbacks as lessons. You need to be able to recognize patterns and learn from mistakes, whether that be on a personal or societal level. Continuously monitor your progress, but don’t get too caught up in the past so that you’re not able to move forward. You can hold yourself back that way.

Similarly, it is important to think of the future and the direction your life is heading. Always be prepared to adapt because the future is uncertain, but you need to know who you want to be, what you want to achieve, how you want to contribute to society and many other thought-provoking questions. Once again you can get caught up thinking about the future too much to the point that it paralyzes you. Fear of the unknown can hinder your success, so it’s important to be looking to the future but not constantly focusing on it. You miss what’s happening right in-front of you. As I said, the lesson is understanding the balance between focusing on your past, present, and future.

Who else fell in love with Emmeline and her hashtags?

Dear Emm, I have adopted you as my cool friend in my head. Thanks to you, my conversations will involve more hashtags. More importantly, it is an absolute honor to share your story and on behalf of Winie’s Student World, I wish you an amazing future!